Former Gymnastics Teacher Pleads Guilty, But Won’t Go To Prison

WHEATON, Ill. (STMW) — A west suburban man admitted in court Wednesday that he had inappropriate contact with 14 young girls he taught at now defunct gymnastics studio.

Michael Cardamone, 35, of Oswego pleaded guilty to seven counts of aggravated battery, seven counts of unlawful restraint, and one count of perjury, a release from the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office said.

Judge Blanche Fawell sentenced him to 10 years in prison, but with day-for-day sentencing and credit for more than five years spent in jail, Cardamone will not have to serve more prison time, the release said.

Cardamone was arrested on Dec. 4, 2002, when a former student at family-owned American Institute of Gymnastics & Preschool in Aurora disclosed to her parents that he had touched her inappropriately. An investigation revealed that he had similar contact with other girls he coached from 1999-2002, prosecutors said. The girls ranged in age from 7 to 14.

On Dec. 5, 2005, Cardamone was sentenced to 20 years after a jury found him guilty of abusing seven girls during gymnastics lessons. But the conviction was overturned on appeal.

Cardamone will be required to register under the Violent Offenders Against Youth Act for 10 years.